Liverpool seeking sponsor for new stadium

January 12 – Liverpool are already seeking a sponsor for their new stadium, which is due to start being built in April, the Premier League club’s commercial director has revealed.

Ian Ayre has admitted that he has already spoken with several companies over the possible branding of the new arena in Stanley Park as the club seeks to raise new revenue streams as its seeks to compete with rivals like Chelsea and Manchester City, who are bankrolled by multi-billionaire owners.

He said: “Naming rights is now an accepted part of building any new footballing venue in the world.

“And as one of only a few global football brands, it would be crazy of us not to tap into that opportunity.

“It is an area that some of our competitors have dabbled - Arsenal for example - and it is an opportunity for us to step forward.

“But what is important again is to find the right partner, who offers the right cultural fit.

“Who knows who that would be for Liverpool, but we have had some interest certainly.”

Having successfully agreed a deal with banking giant Standard Chartered to sponsor their shirts, Liverpool are now searching for new partners.

Ayre said: ”Liverpool is a club which attracts partners like few others, simply because of its history, and the way it acts culturally.

“They are great things for any commercial brand to use around the world, to get their own message out there. I would say there will definitely be more partners in the future.

“In all honesty, it is easy to find a brand who will write you a big cheque in football but what is not as easy is finding somebody who genuinely fits together with you, and has similar aspirations in similar markets.

“We have found that [with Standard Chartered] and I am sure they will be an amazing sponsor for Liverpool Football Club – in fact, they already are.”